bushido_man96

I would like to, but there aren't many options around here. The options are pretty much train, or don't.

Sounds great, Baron. My wife will love the fact that I need to buy another book!

Congrats!

Many years ago, my dad showed me a kind of passive stance in which the arms were loosely crossed, and showed us to bring them up to block attacks. It may not have been the best, but it was an idea. I have also seen the stance where you have one hand on your chin, and the other under the elbow, like the "Thinking Man" pose.

I think Fists of Fury was the first movie to have a fight scene that had more than 3 kicks in a row. I read that somewhere....

"You must achieve formlessness".....

I like this way of doing the kick. Nothing but dead weight flying into the leg. If you can't evade the kick at all, I suggest covering your body with your arms, and sticking your elbow right down on the ankle as the leg comes in on you. You may get hit, but they won't like it much. (I have been guilty of this in my TKD classes; I am known for blocking ). If you can't evade at the time, try the down block and a quick shifting backwards. As you down block, sweep the block across, and strike the leg from the side, instead of downward. This should help a bit.

If you can catch some old ISKA Strike Force matches on ESPN late at night, you can see some of the long pants matches. I never really related the different clothing to the different rule sets. But, it does make sense.

You make a good point here, NightOwl. I tend to agree with you. When my class is taken up by basics, forms, and one-steps, I leave knowing my technique is good, but my level of application ability is what is in question. I think this order is how it is in most martial arts schools, that do forms or katas. However, this is what I think it should look like: 1. Self-defense/applications 2. Drills for applications 3. Fun 4. Uniformity I could throw in others, and this is just a guideline. However, I think self-defense should be at the top of the list, at any rate.

That's interesting. I never realized that. I have heard this as well, but I don't think I would try to disarm someone with a cresent kick. It just sounds too risky.

What are some of the adjustments made on the Can-Ryu side? Is it just the addition of the kickboxing and boxing, or are there some other concepts and techniques involved?

Sounds like it all went well. Congrats to you!

Every time I hit a city I have never been too, I look in the Yellow Pages for MA schools. I have visted some different ones before, but have never had a chance to work out at one. I think it is a great opportunity to exchange ideas and information, and is great for networking martial artists together.

Great post, Baron. I agree.

Exactly right! That's truly what it comes down to. Gotta love the football analogies!

Would you consider Kali/Arnis as no-form options, even though they are mainly weapons styles? I would consider them, at least from a weapons standpoint. For some reason, I didn't think about them. Or JKD, for that matter.

I've always been told that the reason why Gen. Choi introduced Juche was because Ko Dang wasn't physically demanding enough. The kicking techniques in Juche meant that those moving on to 3rd dan were of a higher calibur That makes good sense, and I think that the point has merit, too.

I would think that this variation would not be quite as powerful, because your chamber wouldn't be as tight, limiting the use of the muscles some, and making the technique a little shorter. I could be misinterpreting you as well.

Maybe ill give him a discount of the electrical work im doing on his house at the moment. There you go...it never hurts to have a little bargaining chip!

I know I am playing both sides of the fence here, but hey, I can do that! The thing about forms is that it was used as a tool to remember the principles of a system. It was great, in its time. However, the martial arts have evolved to a point where it is not as necessary as it used to be as a training tool. I know that there are many who feel this way. It may be the case. However, I still like forms for what they are, and for the variety that they offer. I can see benefits in both forms training and non-forms training.

Good luck to you and your school. Let us know how it turns out!

I think you have the key there, Baron.....low risk=high percentage. Perhaps the key to victory, if not survival.

Unfotunatly not, i have tried both boxing instructors in my area, both have the same view on training. Competition only. What a bummer. That kind of stinks.

Yeah, I think the triceps are the primary movers in the punch. However, that doesn't mean that you should neglect developing the biceps. Balance is a good thing. Tricep exercises will help to build the strenght, and then adding the explosive pushing exercises of plyometrics will help to develop some more speed.

It sounds like the Patriots have been busy, notably signing Adaleus Thomas at LB. And how about Nate Clements, to the 49ers for 8 years, $80 M, and a $22 M signing bonus! Wow! The first $10 M a year defensive player in league history. How much will Champ Bailey want to make now???